Geektoolkit

November Thumbnail demo

We're heads down in the final stretch for November working on polishing things up. For those in the alpha you've seen how rough my 'dev art' can be.  I've been spending the last few nights putting a polish on the thumbnail view in the Playlist Editor and wanted to show what that will look like.

What you'll notice is a nice fade in, loading spinners, and correct aspect ratios for thumbnails.  We actually detect the aspect ratio and adjust the UI accordingly.  

It ta...

Dev update 2 for November

So this is the current status for end of November, and a bit about what to expect in December and January.

This month the performance work continues, and we're hearing successful runs on Pi Zero W2, Pi 2s, and much smoother Pi3b runs.  That's where we want to be so we have headroom for the next set of features.

Speaking of, the playlist editor, as a new feature, needed serious performance tuning.  We've made great progress there to the point where we can now g...

Developer Update #1 November

Hey Patreons!  I wanted to do a dev update to say where we are for November.  It's been an interesting month with some good wins recently.

Attached to this post you'll see an image of the updated thumbnail gallery.  While it's not the prettiest thing to look at, I'd like to go over some challenges we've faced and solved which will help the entire project go forward. (Don't worry we'll make it pretty also!)

Performance of thumbnail generation

T...

November Patreons, start here!

Welcome! If you're new to the Patreon, this is the post you want. This will contain all of the getting started info to help get you going, and have the image and discord links.  We use Discord to discuss features, requests, do support, and handle bugs and just in general form a community. I'll also reply directly to any messages that come in for support as well.  Please do not be shy...we are here to help!  The Patreon policies don't allow me to have our entire team here for su...

October Beta announce and Demos!

Yay I can upload videos directly to Patreon now! It's like a private version of Geektoolkit: Dynaframe edition! I'm so excited for this. Above is a ten minute video demo of the features.

For those that prefer to read:
October beta and updates will be released over the next few weeks. It'll include:

1) Thumbnail views

2) Ability to delete or go 'directly to' an image

3) Perf improvements from the alpha

4) Plugins (pixabayplugin) in the store will install the pi...

October Dev update and progress

Hello Patrons!  Welcome new Patrons, this is the latest dev update for the October Beta release we're working towards, and a bit about what's next.

The goal for October has been moved to getting an updated release of 'beta' quality out...this release will be a much more stable version of what was released at the beginning of the month, but we're seeing some issues that let us know that it hasn't hit the bar we want to hit to call it the official release.  For instance, on my ...

October Art Packs now available!

"Bring on the clowns!"

So I hinted I had some halloween themed content ready.  I also created some content for those that don't want to have creepy stuff on their walls as well :) I try to do something for everyone.  I will say I am not fond of scary clowns and had the clown art pack up for testing..and it lasted less than 20 minutes before I couldn't take it anymore :)

Without further ado, Octobers art packs!  Please enter the 'store code' in the store on t...

New Releases all around!

Ok here they are, here are the releases for the September Bugfix release, and the October Store code for the Alpha:

Discord link: https://discord.gg/FVAn6DyjG8 - This is the 'hangout' where we help and discuss things, but if you hit any issues at all feel free to message me directly on here!  We love seeing your frames, hearing ideas, discussing how it's being used and just meeting you all! 2022-10-01 06:23:28 +0000 UTC View Post

October Alpha build release!

Ok so here is the store code for the Alpha build:

pi2ea9353

if you'd like to TEST the alpha, and test the upcoming Pixabay plugin (release early October) then you'll want to go to the store page, put in that code, and when it says that it's done downloading, hit 'run'.  Give it a chance to update and restart, then go to the 'log' page and ensure it says that you're running:

pi2ea9353

If so then congrats, you're running the Alpha! Check out the editor...

Updated builds Imminent!

That's one of my favorite titles. :) It means that a month of hard work is about to be released.  Tonight I started a final pass on one of our releases, and tomorrow we'll release 2 builds!  We push hard so that those that can't pay for next month have something to walk away with that they can have fun with and that is stable/working great. We appreciate all of your support and want you to have a great experience with this Patreon!

Here's the 2 builds coming out:
1) Stable...

Midjourney Plugin released!

Manuel shocked me this morning. I woke up to a message on youtube saying that he'd created a plugin for Dynaframe pro using the recent APIs...and connected it to the amazing AI art system named Midjorney.   It's a little bit of a setup, but in about 5 minutes I had it up and running and let me tell you...he did amazing work! I'm going to post here and in the discord so others can enjoy this and also so he gets recognition for his contribution to the community which I'm incredibly th...

Plugin and Playlist preview

Here's a quick preview of the plugin and playlist work coming soon!
You'll be able to delete files, view the current playlist in order, play a file immediately, and see thumbnails of what is in the playlist.  Also the Pixabay plugin is coming along, and you can see a preview of what a plugin web UI may look like.  The playlist view shows how plugin content can be integrated with local content.

I've pulled a few all nighters, and outside of a break to watch House of the Dra...

September Status update

I want to update everyone on what's been going on for the project for September.  I just came back from a family vacation, so I'm about to go heads down on development again to finish up what I expect will be a beta release for the end of September, with a goal of releasing a full update in October.  

Here's some basic updates on some of the latest items we're working on:

1) Plugins - I have a prototype of a plugin integrated with the playlist page that allows for web co...

September Patreons Welcome! Build and dev updates

Link to the build above

NOTE: You may have to use 7zip to extract the build..if using Windows, the built in zip functionality does not have the capability to extract the compression technique we used.

Getting Started Guide: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1qwQxV47mJHz7DZQ9IeVmd6n_vVxx...

A message for August Patreons

I want to take a second to express some thoughts about those of you that have supported me on this journey, and to talk about August a bit and beyond.

First I want to say thankyou, to all of you.  I've had a few private messages come in about people that have had to leave this month due to money being tight, and I want all of you to know that I appreciate your support, your belief in the project, and that I appreciate you.  You can always come back in the future and will be we...

Progress on the next Beta

Hello everyone, and welcome new Patreons!   I really appreciate the lively discord discussions and comments  I've gotten. If you have any issues getting the latest build going please message me, I'm here to help!  

I want to take a moment to talk a bit about the next build, and where we are.  The team goes into 'shipping mode' which is where we push for quality to get a build out to you, and then we go into 'experiment mode' which is where we break everything a...

August Full Image release (Updated!)

This is the 'Full' image release for August.  

Note: The August release before 8/16 had an issue with wifi pairing. That has been resolved in this release.

August Image release new features (Image only)

- Pi3 Performance enhancements 

- Posters folder is now named "Media" for the samba/UNC network share.

Bugfixes since last release:
- NAS drives no longer have to be marked as 'read/write' (Regression in original August re...

New link for May release

tl,dr: the link above will get you the May release for those having a hard time with my less than stellar web host :)

Long version:

 I'm working on updating the image to august tonight, but that may be a bit. For those trying to get the may release please try the above link and let me know if that works faster/more reliably.  We've had a few false downloads from the geek-toolkit site so we're going to try this to see if it's better.

August store release is ready

I'm working on putting together the full image for August. For those that have the May release, which is the last full image release, below is a way to update to the August release without having to reimage your pi:

1. Open your DynaFramePro, on phone, tablet, or desktop, through your browser.
2. Choose Store
3. Enter the code piAug0db0c6b and hit the checkmark
4. Wait for 15-20 minutes

To confirm the download has completed, check the playlist tab and look for a playl...

Video: Dynaframe August Update preview

  While we work to finish up the August preview, I wanted to show a quick video of the features that we've added. For those new coming from the youtube video, I show some of the features that have come over the past few months as well.  We have one bug left before release, and are working on it ferverantly. Then it takes a bit of time to make the image and we should be good to go!

Welcome August Patreons! Latest release news

Welcome new August members, and for those that continue to support us thankyou!

First some links...August members you'll want to start with the May release image.

May Release image: https://geek-toolkit.com/Releases/DynaframeProMayRelease1.zip
Instructions/quickstart: http...

July release imminent!

The July release is looking good and should  be out in the next few days.  I'm working on some last minute bugs. The progress on plugin work is progressing also.  

The July release will include fixes for rotation (for those that have the beta, you already have these fixes) as well as a rework of the video engine to fix full video playback.

There will be two 'experimental' features on a new experimental page to help with those that want to develop plugins, but also f...

July Update

(New Members please see the previous post for June for the new builds until we get the July update out)

Welcome to July!  My move is completed and I'm back developing on Dynaframe.   We are finishing up the July release and it should be ready in a week or so.  Here's some things that are coming and that have happened in the background:

1) The store can now deliver updates!  Some of you on the patreon asked to join the beta group...we appreciate...

June 15th Release beta release!

Ok so exctiting news, for those in the Discord, please keep an eye out for an announcement on June 15th
Discord link:
(https://discord.gg/FVAn6DyjG8)

There will be an announcement of a beta release which is a store update!  What this means is that we're testing the ability to update the software without the need to fully image a machine. A code will be provided by Qwk in the Discord for the beta participan...

Welcome June Patreons! June release info

I'd like to thank all of our June supporters!  For those that are new, please start at the June release info post and then this one will make more sense :)  The main thing in this post is that we're testing the ability to easily update in place without having to reimage the device.

First things first:
Latest release (Onedrive...may need a microsoft account): https://1drv.ms/u/s!...

Next Release (bugfix) status

Thankyou so much to all of you for supporting us.   The team was very excited to deliver the last build, and we are collecting the feedback that is coming in via discord, comments on here, and in messages.  Here's the status of the bugs we know about and where we are.  If you have other bugs you're hitting on the latest release PLEASE let us know in the comments so we can batch the fixes in and get them fixed for you!  We want to stabilize so we can get you a solid bu...

May Release is Ready!

Release: https://geek-toolkit.com/Releases/DynaframeProMayRelease1.zip
Instructions/quickstart: https://1drv.ms/w/s!AqxjM4_uBDJgxdYxoCkOHzDwGuD2xA?e=LCl5RJ

Note: This release does NOT include frame Sync...we just coulnd't get it in. If you're using that feature please stay on the pr...

Release Iminent

we're doing final testing of the next release. I expect a release out in the next two days if not sooner.  I just did a final test pass on it, and next up we have to package it, shrink it, upload it, and then get it out to you!

I saw questions recently about pi3B+...we got that in, and have made it as performant as possible. For those with pi3's I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.  We also got in some of the performance tweaks that some of you found when using larger imag...

May update

Greetings! I want to publish a monthly update of where development is at so you know what to expect this month.  

First things first, for those new here, here's info you'll want:
Latest build: https://1drv.ms/u/s!AqxjM4_uBDJgxdMFwPdaLt1ZRR07SA?e=kVlaZp

The build has a root password and username of:
Username: pi
Password: dynaframe

Discord channel (updated 4/15...

April Members! Start here, and latest updates

Wow, April already! Spring is here and outside is calling.  In this post I'll talk about the April release coming up and some great progress in a number of areas requested by the Patrons.

But first....for new April members, welcome!  I want to thankyou for your support, and here's the info you'll want:
First things first:
Latest build: https://1drv.ms/u/s!AqxjM4_uBDJgxdMFwPda...